Latest news with #2020


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CAT stays J&K govt order on ‘Urdu must' for naib tehsildar posts
JAMMU: In a landmark decision removing discrimination on the basis of language, Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has stayed the Jammu and Kashmir govt order that made graduation in Urdu mandatory for applying to the post of naib tehsildar. The tribunal directed Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) to accept applications from candidates possessing graduation in any of the five official languages listed in Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020, which includes Hindi, Kashmiri, English, Dogri, and Urdu. CAT issued notices to the respondents, directing them to file their reply within four weeks and scheduled the matter for hearing on August 13. BJP's J&K unit has welcomed the CAT decision. BJP's legislative party had held a dharna at civil secretariat and the assembly, pressing for the revocation of the govt order.


Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt notification making Urdu compulsory for nail tehsildar exam ‘discriminatory': J&K tribunal
A tribunal in Jammu and Kashmir has held as 'discriminatory' a government notification making Urdu compulsory for naib tehsildar exams in the union territory, instead saying that applications from candidates with knowledge of any of the five official languages in the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020, should be considered. The decision from Central Administrative Tribunal came on the back of a petition filed by job seekers who were aggrieved by Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB)'s order on applications for the position of naib tehsildar. The J&K's five official languages include Hindi, Urdu, English, Kashmiri and Dogri. In its notification on June 9 for 75 revenue posts, the JKSSB specified that paper two of the exam will comprise checking the candidate's 'working knowledge of Urdu'. Significantly, almost all the revenue records and land settlements in Jammu and Kashmir are in Urdu, and naib tehsildars, being revenue officials, are expected to be well-versed with this language. In its order, a CAT bench comprising Member (Judicial) Rajinder Dogra and Ram Mohan Johri (Member Administrative) said: 'We are of the considered view that the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009, to the extent it mandates Urdu as the exclusive language qualification, prima facie appears to be discriminatory, especially in the light of the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020'. This came after counsels for the applicants, senior advocate Abhinav Sharma with advocate Abhirash Sharma, made their arguments in court. The UT was represented by Additional Advocate Generals (AAGs) Rajesh Thappa and Sudesh Magotra, besides Deputy AG Hunar Gupta. 'This court hereby stays the operation of the relevant provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009, insofar as they mandate Graduation with knowledge of Urdu as the minimum qualification for the post of Naib Tehsildar,' the Bench held while issuing notices to the respondents to file their reply within four weeks. The case has been fixed for August 13. The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the decision, calling the order 'illegal and discriminatory' 'It is our victory,' advocate R S Pathania, a BJP leader and a former MLA from Ramnagar in Udhampur, told reporters here. The BJP legislative party had held a dharna in front of the Civil Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly Complex Monday to protest the government order to make Urdu compulsory for naib tehsildar examinations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
On the eve of CM's meeting, Civil society groups warn of ‘anti-Congress' struggle if justice is denied to Devanahalli farmers
On the eve of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's meeting with Devanahalli farmers who are seeking that acquisition of their lands for aerospace park be shelved, progressive organisations upped their ante by warning that if justice is not done to farmers, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's 'pro-people' image will be shattered and a sharp wave of 'anti-Congress' struggle will sweep across the State. Seeking intervention of the Congress high-command and addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Monday, office-bearers of Eddelu Karnataka, that included actor Prakash Raj, said the Congress 'will have to pay a heavy price' if its government takes a stance against the interests of farmers, 'prioritising corporate interests' in the Devanahalli issue. Launching a tirade against the Congress government, they maintained that the Congress dispensation was no different from the erstwhile BJP government which they said was 'anti-people and indulged in misrule.' 'This public outrage expressed across the State is not solely due to the Devanahalli issue. The Devanahalli struggle has given an organised form to the growing dissatisfaction and anger against the Congress. There are valid reasons for this public outrage to grow,' they said. They alleged that many civil society organisations that had backed the Congress during the Assembly elections in 2023 were now on a different side. Pouring out their ire at the Congress government, they accused it of continuing to implement many the 'anti-farmer' legislations that they had opposed when in the opposition, such as Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act (KPSPCA), 2020, among others. It also did not take a decision against the four labour codes introduced by the central government and it even tried to implement the anti-labour decision to increase working hours from 8 to 12 hours a day, they alleged. They accused the government of failure to protect women and minorities. 'Even after two years in power, it has not repealed the anti-conversion law introduced by the BJP. Even though the marginalised communities were yearning for internal reservation and caste census, it did not take a bold stance,' they said in a release. The open letter to Mr. Kharge and Mr. Rahul Gandhi was written by Samyukta Horata – Karnataka that comprises a host of progressive organisations.


Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
DU approves curriculum changes amid dissent, VC emphasises readiness for UG 4th year
The Executive Council of Delhi University in its meeting on Saturday, approved key academic and infrastructural proposals, including several controversial curriculum changes. Among the most debated revisions was the removal of papers on Pakistan, Islam and China from the postgraduate Political Science syllabus, changes previously cleared by the Academic Council on June 5 amidst internal opposition. Executive Council member Mithuraaj Dhusiya raised objections over the manner in which these syllabus changes were pushed through. He alleged that many courses were being significantly altered before even reaching the Academic Council, thereby bypassing due academic process and compromising transparency. The meeting, chaired by Vice Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh, also confirmed the appointment of Professor Rajni Abbi as the new director of Delhi University's South Campus. The vice chancellor used the occasion to reiterate that the university is 'fully prepared' for the rollout of the fourth year of undergraduate studies under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which will begin in the 2025-26 academic session. He highlighted that over 60 per cent of undergraduate students are expected to opt for the fourth year. Addressing concerns regarding faculty shortages, the vice chancellor said only regular teachers will handle fourth-year classes, the guest faculty may assist with junior-level teaching. Regular teachers may also take additional classes and suitable compensation will be ensured for both teaching and non-teaching staff, he added. The vice chancellor further said that Wi-Fi connectivity across the university has been significantly upgraded at a cost of Rs 65.71 crore and the university library has been fully digitised, giving students 24×7 access to more than two lakh e-books and journals. He also encouraged the principals of all colleges to establish startup incubators and register Section-8 company to foster entrepreneurship among students. On infrastructure development, the vice chancellor informed the Executive Council that construction of 17 projects is ongoing at an estimated cost of Rs 1,912.15 crore, with Rs 329 crore already released. These projects include the WUS Health Centre and new computer centre on North Campus, the vertical expansion of the science block and the expansion of the Social Centre School Building in Maurice Nagar, he added. The university also approved the creation of a Cultural Activity Centre near Shankar Lal Hall and a new academic building at the SP Jain parking area in South Campus. Additionally, new hostels for girl students and working women are planned at the Dhaka campus, alongside extensions to existing boys' and girls' hostels in South Campus. Following complaints of structural damage in some buildings at Dhaka campus in Mukherjee Nagar, a structural audit by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has been initiated. Based on the findings, reconstruction and retrofitting work will be carried out in a phased manner to address safety issues in hostels and residential flats. The Executive Council also approved the installation of solar power plants in both North and South campuses under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model in partnership with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The terms of this agreement will comply with the university's operational norms. A proposal was invited to develop Dr BR Ambedkar Udyan (garden) in the Faculty of Social Sciences and rename an auditorium in his honour. Additionally, a committee was formed to explore launching a sports scholarship in the name of late Union minister and Delhi University alumnus Arun Jaitley. Presenting the Delhi University's latest achievements, Professor Singh highlighted its performance in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The university has reached 30th position globally in employment outcomes — an improvement of 14 ranks — and now stands at seventh among Indian institutions overall, with a global rank of 328.


Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Government sets up panel to restructure Association of Indian Universities in line with NEP 2020
Representative image NEW DELHI: The Centre has tasked a high-powered committee with reviewing and restructuring Association of Indian Universities (AIU) to align its mandate with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the proposed reforms under the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). The move comes amid efforts to streamline governance of higher education, enhance institutional autonomy, and establish a globally competitive ecosystem for Indian universities, reports Manash Gohain. The committee will submit its report within six months, during which AIU has been advised to maintain status quo. The committee, chaired by Anil Sahasrabudhe, head of National Educational Technology Forum, is expected to examine AIU's role in the evolving regulatory landscape and suggest how it can support universities as they transition to HECI's unified framework. Its members include V Kamakoti, director, IIT-Madras; Nageshwar Rao, former VC, IGNOU; Shashikala Wanjari, VC, NIEPA; S Vidhyasubramaniam, VC, Sastra; and Pankaj Mittal, secretary general, AIU. AIU, founded in 1925, has for long coordinated functioning of universities, evaluated foreign degrees, and promoted sports and cultural initiatives. However, with NE envisioning a single regulator for higher education through HECI, AIU's operational structure and functions are being reassessed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like So sánh mức trượt giá: Hợp đồng tương lai (CFD) Bitcoin vs Ethereum IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "The committee will examine operational issues and AIU's future role, including whether it should come under HECI," a member told TOI. "AIU's robust institutional network could be leveraged for global engagement and recognition of qualifications under the new system." The restructuring also follows University Grants Commission 's notification of the Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications Obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions Regulations, 2025. The framework seeks to establish a standardised and transparent process for recognising foreign academic degrees in India, bolstering the government's "Study in India" initiative.